Author: Atlanta Constitution

In “Griffin Men Did Their Duty Checking Drunken Negroes,” published on March 10, 1899, the Atlanta Constitution reports on an incident in which rowdy members of the all-black 10th U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment—so-called Immunes for their supposed resistance to tropical diseases—clashed with town citizens and militia in Griffin, Georgia, shortly after mustering out of service. A white brakeman was killed. The article misstates the middle initial of the officer Charles Withrow. It should be “L.”

In “The Griffin Episode,” published on March 19, 1899, the editors of the Atlanta Constitution argue that the “experiment of negro troops has been tried, and it has been a complete failure.” That conclusion came in the wake of an incident in which rowdy members of the all-black 10th U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment—so-called Immunes for their supposed resistance to tropical diseases—clashed with town citizens and militia in Griffin, Georgia, shortly after mustering out of service. A white brakeman was killed.